Warriors put Gloucester to the sword

SIX weeks out from Connacht’s Challenge Cup quarter-final with Gloucester at the Sportsground, both teams tasted chastening defeats last weekend as Zebre conquered Connacht, while Worcester Warriors stood firm against the cherry and whites at Sixways.

Just like they did against Connacht in the second last pool game of the Challenge Cup, Worcester Warriors started like a house on fire and tries from Jonny Arr, Jamie Shillcock and recent Welsh debutant Josh Adams inside the first 18 minutes had them off to a flyer, although a yellow card for Gloucester’s Henry Trinder in that time did help their cause.

Matt Scott and Trinder crossed in each half for Gloucester after that though, while Billy Twelvetrees kicked a couple of goals for the visitors, but they were unable to take anything from their short trip north and eventually fell to a 25-15 defeat.

Gloucester will hope to recover from that loss at home to Wasps tomorrow, and they could possibly close to within a point of Dai Young’s third-placed Wasps with a bonus-point win, although Newcastle, Bath and Leicester could leapfrog Gloucester if results don’t go their way. Newcastle are also on the same side of the draw as Connacht and their 29-12 win over Bath underlines their current form, while French side Brive lost 21-15 at home to Pau.

This weekend Newcastle face Harlequins at the Stoop, while Brive face Toulouse.